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Gunther's

Warning. If you’re not into butterfat, stop reading. For everyone else, let me introduce you to Sacramento’s oldest and best ice cream store, Gunther’s.

This is a classic, old-fashioned, Happy Days kind of place. It has been churning since 1940 using 16% butterfat cream and all natural ingredients in a process “similar to the hand cranked machines used in the early 1900’s.”

Gunther’s says the high butterfat and slow processing make a richer, creamier ice cream. But you don’t have to take their word for it. Take mine.

I like caramel sundaes. Make me one with a couple scoops of Gunther’s butter brickle ice cream and watch me smile.

Not for you? Well, there are 37 regular flavors to choose from, another six seasonal ones like eggnog, bittersweet chocolate and pumpkin, plus cones and other toppings.

You will also find sandwiches, milkshakes, yogurts, real fresh fruit freezes and novelty items like chocolate covered bananas, mud pie on a stick and clown cones.

Gunther’s has been at the same address at 3rd Avenue and Franklin Blvd since 1949. Same wooden booths. Same neon sign of Jugglin Joe perched on the roof tossing a ball of ice cream from scooper, over his head, to cone.

There is another venerable ice cream shop in the area: Vic’s. And there is the inevitable debate on whose product is better. My answer: who cares?

I will leave Vic’s to its fans and stick with Gunther’s ice cream sundaes. Judging from the smiles other than mine at Gunther’s, I would say a lot of folks feel the same way.